With every child there is bound to be laughter, and with every laugh there is bound to be love. This has pretty much been the center of my time so far in Swaziland. There is nothing like hearing a little child laugh hysterically. It is so joyful, so uplifting, and so hopeful.
I think the thing I love most about laughter is the child like silliness. In Swaziland, we are building relationships with kids who have been forced to be responsible and take care of themselves because of poor home lives and situations–circumstances out of their control. These kids rarely have the chance to simply be kids, and that breaks my heart. There is nothing better than the fun of childhood, that feeling of excitement because one gets to hang out with friends and mess around. Sadly, these kids rarely have that.
Our time in Africa has been centered around making the children at the care point feel like children, and with that has come much laughter and love. God has placed an overwhelming love for a specific child on my heart who just wants to loved and held. I came across this child when he was in tears and had a very sad look on his face. I was heart broken for him and all I wanted to do was comfort him. Determined to make him happy, I sat down next to him and comforted him while he cried. We sat there a while until the crying finally stopped. I was overjoyed that the boy was no longer sad, but it wasn’t over yet. I had to make him laugh. I looked him in the eyes and made the silliest face I could think of and laughter poured out of that boy. It was the cutest thing ever and it made me so joyful. I felt so content and was glad to help a child have some fun. That boy has stuck by my side and we have developed a whole lot of love for each other over a little bit of laughter.
I am writing this to encourage you to cherish laughter in your life and take some time to have a little fun. Some people rarely get that opportunity. Remember God’s overwhelming love for you and the joy it brings Him to see you happy.
“So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.” John 16:22
